(NewsWorthy.news) – Fishery experts and lobstermen of New England have criticized President Joe Biden’s latest attempts to expand offshore wind energy projects, arguing that the White House is rushing to “political proof” and protect a green energy plan from a potential administration change following the November presidential election.
The fishing advocacy group, New England Fisherman’s Stewardship Association, filed a public comment on April 17 with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management opposing the agency’s newly revealed plans to use two million acres of ocean for offshore wind farming. The unprecedented leasing area would provide for the production of enough wind turbines to produce 32 gigawatts of energy.
NEFSA, together with the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, argue that the Biden administration’s plans are harmful to the fishing industry as well as the Gulf of Maine’s marine life. In 2021 Biden’s government considered ways to ensure the U.S. commercial fishing industry was adequately compensated for any losses incurred from the proposed expansion of offshore wind energy. Early discussions between federal and state officials aimed to address the main threat to the president’s efforts to expand offshore wind power.
Commercial fishing fleets have expressed strong opposition to wind projects, stating that they are a significant threat to catches of vital stocks such as clams, lobsters, scallops and squid. Reasons given related to the impact of the proposed development on ecosystems and the interference with navigation. Offshore development is not the only serious environmental concern relating to the “green” energy of wind farms; in 2023 Scotland’s governing Scottish National Party admitted to felling 16 million trees to make space for wind farms. For several years U.S. fishermen have highlighted the impact of the wind industry on the marine ecosystem, saying their concerns are being ignored by regulators.
NEFSA pleaded with the BOEM to consider the impact of such a development on the well-being and safety of workers in the industry. The Association also noted deficiencies in data cited by BOEM, and highlighted an ironic reality: The extent to which wind energy, intended to help limit global and therefore ocean warming, actually increases water temperature around the wind farms. The heat and the emitted electromagnetic fields impact the early development of crustaceans as well as fish stocks, particularly those of bluefin tuna.
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